The $30 Million Founding Father: How ‘Hamilton’ Got Federal Aid

The megahit had five separate productions around the nation, and with each applying for $10 million in pandemic relief to help get back onstage, the tally could reach $50 million.

“Hamilton” is the biggest Broadway hit in years, and until the coronavirus pandemic shuttered all of its productions, it was making a lot of money: It has played to full houses since it opened in 2015, and on Broadway it has been seen by 2.6 million people and grossed $650 million. So why is the show getting $30 million in relief from the federal government, with the possibility of another $20 million coming down the road? The answer is that, before the pandemic, “Hamilton” had five separately incorporated productions running in the United States — one on Broadway and four on tour — and, under the rules set up for the government’s Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, which provides pandemic relief for the culture sector and live-event businesses, each was eligible for $10 million to help make up for lost revenue.